"Summer of My German Soldier" is a young adult novel by American author Bette Greene, first published in 1973. The story is set in a small town in Arkansas during World War II and is narrated by 12-year-old Jewish girl named Patty Bergen. Patty feels alienated from her family and the community due to her religious and cultural differences, and her only solace comes from her secret friendship with a German prisoner of war named Anton. Anton is being held at a nearby camp and escapes one day, seeking refuge in Patty's family's barn. Despite the risks, Patty hides Anton and begins to develop a deep emotional bond with him, seeing him as a kindred spirit who shares her sense of loneliness and isolation. However, their relationship is discovered, and Anton is ultimately recaptured and sent back to the prison camp. The novel explores themes of love, identity, and the corrosive effects of prejudice and bigotry. It is known for its sensitive portrayal of complex characters and its nuanced treatment of difficult subjects such as racism and anti-Semitism. The novel has been widely praised for its honesty and empathy, and has been adapted into a successful stage play and a made-for-TV movie.
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